On the weekend of the 24th and 25th three Tenterfield players representing Port Macquarie in the Senior Mixed Division took gold at the NSW country championships at Dubbo.

Rachel Townsend, Karen Mooney and Mark Koch were part of the wining team. Port Macquarie’s numbers were short just weeks before the team nominations were due, but with the Tenterfield connections the side was complete. Port Macquarie kicked off the two day tournament with wins over Taree 6-2, Dubbo Devils 3-2 and Coffs Harbour 6-3. Sunday morning saw wins over Tamworth 4-3, Foster-Tuncurry 6-2 and Wallsend Wolves 6-1 with the Port Macquarie side going through the tournament undefeated.

The final saw a rematch from last year up against Foster-Tuncurry in which Port Macquarie was victorious and this year was no different with the whole team combining to outplay their opponents to score a great win 4-0 and the gold medals, the whole team was ecstatic.

Mark Koch was hopeful that his team would win on the day.

“I was confident,” Mr Koch said.

“It was a strong competition with the best teams around the country.

“Been playing for 10 to 12 years. It was good prep for state competitions and state squad.”

Keven Mooney, who played in the over 50’s division for Quirindi, thought the effort made by the three Tenterfield residents was fantastic.

“It was a great effort, especially with the girls. The Port side was short so the girls made up the side,” Mr Mooney said

“The coach couldn’t say enough about them.”

Kevin Mooney also had a successful weekend with his side losing one game out for five, which was against Wagga Wagga over 45’s. The two divisions were mixed. Quirindi came up against Nelson’s Bay in the quarter finals and won 8-3, then Wollongong with a 7-3 win which put Quirindi in the final up against the undefeated Newcastle City. The game was hard and fast and finished with a three all draw at the full time whistle, which meant after a two minute break we would go into a drop-off. Both sides restarted with five players, not six on the field. Unfortunately Newcastle City scored with their three set of play and took the gold medal. Quirindi players were disappointed at the loss but were very happy with their performances and the silver medal.